KARACHI (National times)- Police arrested over 40 participants of the Sindh Culture Day rally after they allegedly resorted to throwing stones on police over a dispute of using a road. Sindh Interior Minister Ziaul Hass Lanjar has taken notice of the violence and ordered Karachi additional IG to take strict action against those who burnt police vehicles and damaged public property. According to South Deputy Inspector General of Police Syed Asad Raza, police took action against the participants and responded with a baton charge and tear gas shelling when they attacked the law enforcers. “We detained 45 people on Sharea Faisal,” DIG Raza said. “The South SSP (Senior Superintendent of Police) is at the scene, and the situation is under control.” Sindhi Culture Day being celebrated with traditional zeal and enthusiasm The DIG said that since the Red Zone has been closed, alternative traffic routes are being provided for citizens and commuters. He added that the law enforcers asked the rally participants to use the Lines Area route towards Saddar and subsequently the venue of the rally at Karachi Press Club (KPC), but “they were bent upon using the main Sharea Faisal from Jinnah Bridge”. “They allegedly pelted stones on the police when they were stopped, resulting in injuries to five policemen,” he said, adding that it prompted the police to resort to tear gas shelling to disperse them. According to police sources, participants at the rally were arguing with police over being stopped and that dispute escalated into stone-throwing. Later, the DIG said that 12 of the 45 arrested were released on the surety of the Karachi Bar Association president. Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar took strict notice of the incident on Sharea Faisal and ordered immediate action against those involved, according to a statement from his office. In a phone call with the additional inspector general, Lanjar ordered, “Those damaging police vehicles and citizens’ property should be arrested immediately.”